Turkey's privitisation programme is still moving at a rapid pace, despite a change in focus. Writer Metin Demirsar
Western Europe
Latest articles from Western Europe
Bold ambition or pure fantasy?
May 5, 2010The Turkish government has plans to transform Istanbul into an international financial centre complete with specialised courts to deal with international business disputes and a carbon exchange. However, sceptics are already denouncing the project as a pipedream.
The NPL threat to Turkey's progress
May 5, 2010As Turkey pulls out of its economic slump, its relatively unscathed banks are ready to finance growth and are increasing lending and planning significant expansion. However, a growing problem of non-performing loans may stifle recovery and put the brakes on their ambition.
World
/ Western Europe
/ Malta
Malta stands tall in finance
March 31, 2010Since joining the EU six years ago, the Maltese banking sector has flourished and the country has developed a firm yet flexible regulatory regime, supported by the European regulatory environment. In this Masterclass, Professor Joseph Bannister, president of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), discusses the recent restructuring of the authority and how it aims to further strengthen Malta's status as an international financial centre. Writer Michael Imeson
World
/ Western Europe
/ Malta
An international flavour
March 31, 2010Malta's insurance sector is highly oriented towards international insurers, with insurance management companies based in the country heavily involved in helping to run them on behalf of their parent organisations.
Sovereign woes cast long shadows for banks
March 3, 2010The leading Greek banks had retained relatively conservative business models at home prior to the financial crisis, but market fears about government debt make the downturn even harder to manage. Writer Philip Alexander
World
/ Western Europe
/ Italy
Alessandro Profumo
March 3, 2010UniCredit, the Italian bank with a significant presence in Europe, is back on track following a €4bn rights issue to fund loan demand in eastern Europe. Its chief executive explains how the company's diversified business model is now giving it an advantage over its competitors. Writer Brian Caplen
Rebuilding UBS: Can UBS revive its business and reputation?
March 3, 2010UBS has endured a catastrophic three years. Now, under the stewardship of former Credit Suisse chief Oswald Grübel, the bank is attempting to restore its reputation and revive its business. Geraldine Lambe reports.
What really happened at Hypo Group Alpe Adria
February 1, 2010The nationalisation of Austria's Hypo Alpe Adria had more to do with regulation and ownership models than exposure to emerging Europe. Writer Philip Alexander
The quest for new customers
February 1, 2010Leading Turkish bank Garanti is the first to offer, send and receive functions of the Western Union Money Transfersm service through its own website, as Ali Fuat Erbil, assistant general manager of Garanti Bank, explains.